MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — For Angela Lancaster, working with a team to achieve a common goal is an element that is found in both her sport and her career.

Lancaster is a defender with Field Hockey Canada’s national indoor women’s team. As a 13-year national level veteran, Lancaster has represented Canada in various indoor women’s field hockey events over the years. More recently, she earned a bid to the 2022 Women’s FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup.

The World Cup, taking place in Liege, Belgium, features 12 teams competing in two divisions. Lancaster and her teammates will be competing in Pool A, which features the United States, Czech Republic, Germany, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Pool B of the competition features Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Namibia, Netherlands and South Africa.

Leading the women’s field hockey team is coach Rob Short, one of the most decorated players in Canadian hockey history with years of playing and coaching experience. As the newly appointed coach, Short has high hopes for the team.

“This team will be the first women’s team since 1994 to qualify for a major tournament,” Short said. “This is an exciting time for this group. (I have) confidence in this team to achieve special things.”

The World Cup was originally scheduled for Feb. 2021 but got pushed back a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, the 2020 Pan American Indoor Tournament was canceled due to COVID-19 just weeks before it was scheduled to begin. Lancaster was disappointed as she had spent three years preparing herself for the tournament. Nevertheless, she used the down time during the pandemic to keep herself in peak physical and mental shape.

Lancaster, a Burlington native, was first introduced to the game in grade 9, when her high school team was looking for players. What was initially a fun activity for her and her friends quickly became a passion for Lancaster.

“Indoor field hockey is incredibly fast-paced,” she said when asked about what drew her into the sport. “I love how quickly the momentum can change and how team-oriented it is. It has helped me grow into the person and player I am today.”

After high school, Lancaster attended the University of Guelph to pursue a major in psychology. She played for the Guelph Gryphons during her undergrad years, earning herself the distinction of four Ontario University Athletics (OUA) field hockey titles, a spot in the 2nd All-Canadian Team in 2008 and 2009 and the MVP of the 2007-08 season. Along with her teammate, Heather Mitchell, Lancaster helped Guelph reach the national final in 2007.

During the summer after her graduation, Lancaster pursued her field hockey career in Australia. She played on the 1st team for the Hale Hockey Club in Perth, practiced with the men’s 2nd team and even coached a U11 boys team. After the summer, she went on to practice with the Canadian women’s senior field hockey team in Vancouver.

While her on-court accolades are certainly impressive, perhaps more noteworthy is Lancaster’s accomplishments off the court. In 2019, Lancaster decided to help her community by becoming a firefighter. She revealed in a social media post that her childhood dream of becoming a firefighter played a major factor in her decision.

As a full-time firefighter, Lancaster serves the city of Mississauga as a member of the Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services (MFES). The MFES provides fire protection and emergency medical assistance to Mississauga. Lancaster takes pride in the role.

“So fortunate to be part of two strong teams,” she posted on social media. “I am honoured that I have the opportunity to serve the City of Mississauga and provide care for people on what may be their worst day.”

In addition to being a Canadian professional field hockey player and MFES firefighter, Lancaster is a personal trainer that helps fellow athletes undergoing the injury recovery process.

“You have been handed an incredible opportunity to dig deep, rise up and find strength you never knew you had,” she advises athletes in recovery. “The secret is to focus on the little things that are in your control and master them.”

There is no doubt that Lancaster is a team player both on and off the court. She exemplifies being a professional athlete by making her community and the country proud. We wish her continued success in her journey.

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